NOTES

AND

ILLUSTRATIONS.

S LHUWJMH

N O T E I. Sec t. I. p. 7.

R E I) U LI T Y and scepticism are two opposite extre-mes into which men are apt to run, in examining the eventswhich are said to have happened in the early ages of anti-quity. Without incurring any suspicion of a propensity tothe latter of these, 1 nray be allowed to entertain doubtsconcerning the expedition of Sesostris into India, and hisconquest of that country. — I. Few facts in ancient historyseem to be better established, than that of the early aver-sion of the Egyptians to a sea-faring life. Even the powerof despotism cannot at once change the ideas and mannersof a nation, especially when they have been confirmed bylong habit, and rendered sacred by the sanction of religion.That Sesostris, in the course of a few years, should have soentirely overcome the prejudices of a superstitious people,as to be able to fit out four hundred ships of force in theArabian Gulf, besides another fleet which he had in theMediterranean, appears to be extremely improbable. Arma^ments of such magnitude would require the utmost efforts of* great and long established maritime power. — 2. It is